Antony | Here we go! €100mill, contract until June 2027, option 'til 2028.

[Fooza]

When is the title changing to "Utd NOT confident of reaching an agreement"

 

[devilish]

Because we get treated differently. They sold Haller to Dortmund for 30m and waved him off nicely.

If we came in for him you know it would be 70m and a constant battle. They see us as a goldmine that they can rinse for every penny.

That's because we're unable to move to an alternative target. Every man and his dog knows that the Gapko thing is probably a lie

 

[George The Best]

Only a matter of time before this happens.

Clearly Ajax know he wants to leave. They are just holding out for a crazy three digit fee.

I don’t think we should increase our offer, it’s already insane. If they don’t accept they will be saddled with a player who will just sulk all season and probably lower his valuation longer term.

 

[Thoms]

So he’s been asking to leave for six months and Ajax have refused to sell despite these offers? They’ve somewhat overplayed their hand.

There was no fecking offer for him all summer. Not in June, not in July. Im less than happy with our board and yours.

 

[Adam-Utd]

That's because we're unable to move to an alternative target. Every man and his dog knows that the Gapko thing is probably a lie

Why should we move to an alternative target if that's who we want, and who he wants?

The FDJ situation was different and we should have packed that up a while ago, but Antony is quite clearly desperate to join us.

You don't walk away from players that want to play for you with this much desire. He's quite literally the anti di maria.

We have already given them an offer WAY above market value. It's more than compensating them for their trouble, but they're still being difficult for what reason?

Yes i'm sure they don't want to lose him but it happens. Take Amad or Elanga on loan for the season if they need cover?

 

[phelans shorts]

Only a matter of time before this happens.

Clearly Ajax know he wants to leave. They are just holding out for a crazy three digit fee.

If we can get him for three digits then we should bite their hands off

 

[RORY65]

Listen to the interview

I now have, they haven't gone back on their word. Your point is still incorrect. He might come but Ajax are playing this perfectly.

 

[Mickeza]

very entitled. If you planned to be there 2 years why sign a 5-year contract? Did Harry Kane get his move? nope and just got on with it. United fans hella entitled right now. Antony can make all the claims he wants but these are just his claims. He is just a mere employee

Ah entitled. The other caf buzz word. Utter bullshit. The Kane example is fecking nonsense. He is one of the best strikers on the planet and had 3 years in his deal. Spurs told City they would sell for 150m - a fair market price. Kane and City tried to pressure them into selling for a price that wasn’t fair - sub 100m. Ajax aren’t even setting a price - they’re saying he can’t leave. Period. Fullstop. Which they can do - legally - it doesn’t make them not cnuts for doing so though.

 

[marcus agrippa]

Ajax get to decide "the right price" for a player, not the contracted player or the buying club.

It would damage their negotiating position forever if they allowed a young talent with 3 years left on his contract to force his way out when the buying club hasn't met their required price.

The only people that think this looks bad is United fans.

Haven't met the required price? It's the largest ever fee for an Eredivise player! It's clear what's happening here, and it's not about the offer on the table.

This will change things going forward re: their recruitment abroad. Look at what Haaland did with Dortmund, insisting on a release clause when he signed that contract. I wouldn't be surprised if Bellingham's done the same, but someone please check. The difference with Haaland is that he was a top-rated talent, and so a price could be set beforehand that would seem reasonable. What about an unknown South American with a potentially high ceiling? How would his agents protect his prospects?

 

[Abraxas]

Same thing could be said about fans like you who've been too saturated by Utd's mistakes to make it seem like the grass is only greener at clubs who's name isn't Manchester United
We've left it late(even though we made 2 offers earlier in the window) but Ajax themselves have been very scummy if they've known since February he wants to leave and rejected four bids(two of them being amongst their record sales) for a player who's wanted to leave
They've basically forced him to be unprofessional because Ajax themselves have gone against their word of allowing him to leave and their principle of being a stepping stone
It DOES NOT bode a good look no matter how superior you try to make them look

I never said anything of the sort about the grass being greener at Ajax or any club. That's your own bizarre projection and has nothing to do with this.

They have not been scummy, they have been consistent. Their position is that they don't really wish to sell Antony and that's why bids have been rejected, if this is true that we have made multiple bids. As a club and as a CEO your players have to realise their contracts mean something for you to have any control in the market. That something is that the club has the ability to determine when they will accept a bid and at what level, and in exchange they agree to pay you for X years come rain or shine (which includes them being injured or contributing naff all)

I don't believe that Ajax's principle is that they're a stepping stone. That is disrespectful. I think their principle is that they'll always sell footballers to turn a profit, but it is now going to be set at a rate they choose (which is high due to the market) and at a time of their choosing. Their principle is also to win titles, and be competitive in the CL, so they must balance this.

 

[Adamsk7]

This is nuts. To be honest, I’m not sure I’ve ever been comfortable with clubs (even Utd) literally holding players against their will. It’s a free world and you should be free to go do whatever you want. In the case of football, yes it’s high stakes involved but that’s what the “fee” is for - compensation for the loss of the player and to buy out their contract. If a player says “I want to leave” yes even at Utd, they should be allowed to go so long as the compensation is fair. I think we can all agree that the compensation is more than fair in this case!

It’s all got a bit muddy and out of hand. Antony is right - he let them know with plenty of time and opportunities in sport are fleeting. He could have a dip in form and get worse offers next season or get an injury at the wrong time and not be able to move (like Ruud). I don’t like what he’s doing in going public but I understand it on a human level.

I’m sure nobody will agree with me as footballers are multimillionaires, pampered etc but they are also people too and it’s not their fault football is as lucrative as it is.

 

[DutchCruijff]

very entitled. If you planned to be there 2 years why sign a 5-year contract? Did Harry Kane get his move? nope and just got on with it. United fans hella entitled right now. Antony can make all the claims he wants but these are just his claims. He is just a mere employee


None of these are comparable. He is a sports employee paid MILLIONS to do the job he loves so does the clubs needs not also matter? how much time do they even have to find a replacement? He has only fulfilled 2 of a 5 year contract. It is insane to assume he has the right to just up and leave because United fans want him. He does not make decisions for Ajax as they are bigger than him

First of all, he's a human. And there's a point at which money isn't everything.

Secondly, he signed a 5 year contract. Do you think that 5 year contract means he definitely has to see those 5 years out? That he signed that contract with the intent of staying for 5 years?

Antony has every right to demand a move, Ajax have every right to reject that move and United fans have every right to call them a bunch of cnuts.

 

[sparx99]

Because we get treated differently. They sold Haller to Dortmund for 30m and waved him off nicely.

If we came in for him you know it would be 70m and a constant battle. They see us as a goldmine that they can rinse for every penny.

That's a good point. They were reasonably stubborn with Bayern considering Gravenberch only had one year on his deal but still agreed a reasonable fee in the end. They maybe could've dug their heels in further considering Bayern had taken Mazraoui on a free as well.

They also held onto Tagliafico (last Jan was it?) when Barca came calling before he left very cheap this summer.

Maybe they just rinse the bigger clubs while realising Dortmund etc don't have the budget.

 

[Rolaholic]

 

[Adam-Utd]

I now have, they haven't gone back on their word. Your point is still incorrect. He might come but Ajax are playing this perfectly.

Clearly not, we hear it first hand he's told them he wants to leave twice, 4 months apart.

 

[ED_209]

São Paulo receives 20% of whatever Ajax sells him for, so it is quite possible that they will try to increase the price even more.

 

[UpWithRivers]

The only thing that makes any sense to me is that Ajax and Ten Hag think he's the next Neymar level player. Yes to the whole rest of the footballing world he doesnt look anywhere near that level but they should know best. If he's not then why would Ajax hold out for 100mill? They will never get this kind of money unless he turns out to be a Neymar level player. And the same goes for United. Ten Hag must be saying he is going to be world class or why offer that much? Sure you can say they are paying a premium because United are desperate or Ajax dont want to sell so close to the end of the window etc but there is paying a premium is paying double. Lets say he is is not Neymar put will turn out Raphina level in 3 years then he's surely worth less than Raphina is now. And thats 60 million euros. So Antony at Raphinas level is worth around 50 because he is young and raw and unproven. A premium extortionate fee would be then be what 70? So wtf is 100mill? Ajax make a profit of what 120 mill a year. Makes no sense.
So if Ten Hag is saying Neymar level then pay it. If he is saying Raphina level then pull out.

 

[devilish]

Why should we move to an alternative target if that's who we want, and who he wants?

The FDJ situation was different and we should have packed that up a while ago, but Antony is quite clearly desperate to join us.

You don't walk away from players that want to play for you with this much desire. He's quite literally the anti di maria.

Antony is tied to a long term contract. His opinion means jack shit and so does ours. The only way we can be taken seriously is for United to have 2-3 viable targets and for us to switch from one target to another if needs be. Ajax must feel the heat that if they push us too hard then we'll walk away and they'll end up with an unhappy player who'll absolutely hate that his club has ruined the opportunity of a lifetime

 

[mu4c_20le]

I now have, they haven't gone back on their word. Your point is still incorrect. He might come but Ajax are playing this perfectly.

How? It's bad PR. You think other young talents will think wow these guys stick to their guns, can't wait to go there and have a saga.

Maybe it's perfect if your on their side.

 

[Newtonius]

If only he was the top target when they were wasting 3 months on FDJ, ultimately that's whos fault it is when he didn't want to leave, Ajax are only doing what is best for them.

 

[Terranova]

this thread is full of petulant children who believe every bit of information that is in their favour. You think that everything Antony's team is now saying is the truth? Of course not, he's trying to force a move, so they'll say everything they think will help their case. If Utd payed up instantly this wouldn't be a problem. Ajax has been clear from the start that they won't negotiate, it's asking price or get out.

 

[Mickeza]

First of all, he's a human. And there's a point at which money isn't everything.

Secondly, he signed a 5 year contract. Do you think that 5 year contract means he definitely has to see those 5 years out? That he signed that contract with the intent of staying for 5 years?

Antony has every right to demand a move, Ajax have every right to reject that move and United fans have every right to call them a bunch of cnuts.

Bingo. Great summation. Close the thread.

 

[Adam-Utd]

That's a good point. They were reasonably stubborn with Bayern considering Gravenberch only had one year on his deal but still agreed a reasonable fee in the end. They maybe could've dug their heels in further considering Bayern had taken Mazraoui on a free as well.

They also held onto Tagliafico (last Jan was it?) when Barca came calling before he left very cheap this summer.

Maybe they just rinse the bigger clubs while realising Dortmund etc don't have the budget.

100% they look at PL clubs and think take every penny. We've already way overpaid for Martinez.

I'd actually laugh if we pull out, he sulks for 4 months and barely plays then leaves in January for less.

 

[RORY65]

You ever worked? Ever had someone dump work on you just before clocking off? Ever have someone break a promise to you?

Sure, there's no contractual agreement but it would piss one off easily.

This stoic philosophy of "he has a contract" is bizarre considering the emotions of humans and the short shelf life of footballers.

What promise has been broken? He committed to 5 years and now he seems to think hes entitled to feel aggrieved he can't go after 2 (he still might but only if Ajax get more money). Surely if anyone has, he is the one who has broken a promise?

I have no doubt if United had come with a large but still smaller offer in May it would have been done but they've put Ajax in a bad position trying to do it this late when they've already lost 4 first team players so Ajax are perfectly entitled to either demand a ludicrous fee (the current money already is but seemingly not enough) or to keep him.

 

[Sviken]

There was no fecking offer for him all summer. Not in June, not in July. Im less than happy with our board and yours.

Didn't we offer something like 50-60 million a few weeks ago that was rejected and the you raised the price to 80 million which was again rejected and now we're at 100 million?

 

[moses]

First of all, he's a human. And there's a point at which money isn't everything.

Secondly, he signed a 5 year contract. Do you think that 5 year contract means he definitely has to see those 5 years out? That he signed that contract with the intent of staying for 5 years?

Antony has every right to demand a move, Ajax have every right to reject that move and United fans have every right to call them a bunch of cnuts.

Yes. He has to play for them, they have to pay him. Legally yes. Thats what contracts are. Only if both want to change it can it be changed.

 

[saivet]

I’m not sure how we approached it. If we are told by the player that there’s an agreement in place for a move then why wouldn’t we believe him? We did come in with a big bid about three weeks ago when we met Ajax’s absurd price, they set another one which we met and it looks as if we are about to bid higher again. It’s hard to blame Utd when we met their price with a month left of the window, us sitting here with a week left is on Ajax who keeps turning down fees that they demanded. I feel bad for Ajax but one of the reason they’ve lost so many players is they fecked up two of their brightest prospects by keeping them with one year left and knowing they’d go on a free this summer. Just because they mishandled that doesn’t mean other players who apparently had agreements in place have to pause their careers. B all accounts they knew Antony wanted to leave, desperate even since February. To play that off like oh this caught us by surprise with a week left is absurd.

Where has it been said that we met their asking price twice only for them to reject it both times?

I think it should be expected that the price might change at different points in the transfer window if you're too slow.

Surely if Ajax kept backtracking and breaking agreements with us there would be some briefs that we're annoyed at the situation.

Antony was talked about at the start of the window and still is now, so find it hard to believe that we've persisted heavily with this one all summer.

 

[mu4c_20le]

this thread is full of petulant children who believe every bit of information that is in their favour. You think that everything Antony's team is now saying is the truth? Of course not, he's trying to force a move, so they'll say everything they think will help their case. If Utd payed up instantly this wouldn't be a problem. Ajax has been clear from the start that they won't negotiate, it's asking price or get out.

Your loyalties are mudded

 

[Drainy]

very entitled. If you planned to be there 2 years why sign a 5-year contract? Did Harry Kane get his move? nope and just got on with it. United fans hella entitled right now. Antony can make all the claims he wants but these are just his claims. He is just a mere employee

Yes I'm sure if he could do it again he'd probably have a clause in his contract for like 40m and be laughing. Sometimes players are happy with the opportunity to progress and want the club to be able to achieve the best possible price when they do sell, so it's less of a transactional relationship.

More fool him, I guess, but if they agreed it's a 2 year project and then deny him a transfer for £75m after he asked it's a pretty rotten thing to do. It's a spurs move and it will impact their ability to attract talents without it being the more transactional style of deal

 

[africanspur]

Ajax has made themselves look stupid being so greedy.

Future youngsters will think twice about going if they don't sell him.

People (usually fans of the 7-8 super clubs in Europe) say this every time a club not in that exclusive club declines to sell a player at the whims of those clubs and I've never seen it actually come to fruition.

Not to mention that Ajax themselves don't seem to have moved away from their normal model and have already sold a couple of those players this summer.

Does anyone actually believe that Ajax would have said no if you'd bid 90 million euros on 1st June?

 

[BluesJr]

Sport has this weird thing about keeping people against their will. Ajax aren’t being asked to let him go for nothing, even they would admit it’s an absolutely insane fee. So stop trying to look hard and sell. I’d find it embarrassing if we were acting like this and it was embarrassing when we initially said Ronaldo wasn’t for sale.

 

[Alemar]

We'd absolutely hate every second of it if the shoe was on the other foot

we’d absolutely NOT sign anyone who told us in advance “it is a 2 year project at Man Utd as a stepping stone for future transfer”.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Haven't met the required price? It's the largest ever fee for an Eredivise player! It's clear what's happening here, and it's not about the offer on the table.

Just because its a record fee doesn't make it the required price - even if we think its a more then generous offer.

I'm sure if we bid £150m they would accept. Ultimately its Ajax who set his worth to them and what they want to do this season.

 

[gaffs]

Yeah, that's not how it works.

It’s exactly how it works.

We are getting stitched up for not doing our business early.

Even with an unhappy player that is not playing or training, Ajax are still playing hardball.

Why? Because they are in the driving seat as they know we’re desperate.

 

[Thoms]

Didn't we offer something like 50-60 million a few weeks ago that was rejected and the you raised the price to 80 million which was again rejected and now we're at 100 million?

Yes a low bid in August when we CLEARLY stated from the start to your board, look up the tweets, that we wanted at least 80 million for him in the beginning of the transfer window. But your board thought we would roll over for 50 mil.

 

[Oly Francis]

Because they wouldn't be 3 weeks into a season and they'd have months and months to replace him, rather than a few days.

No one truly believes that we offered over 90m Euros on day 1 of the transfer window then he'd still be an Ajax player. We were slow and ponderous yet again.

It amazes me after 10 years of this incompetence people are still desperate to defend the club.

Obviously not, he's a 60M player MAX, Ajax is just trying to milk United with this deal. I don't know if people realize here that Sancho is WAY (it's an understatement) more talented than Antony. The only reason why the club is about to pay an absolutely ridiculous fee for a good prospect is the timing and the fact that they're apparently now obsessed with signing him. He could totally be a bigger flop than Sancho.

 

[Nights]

How would you feel if he was shit and Ajax stopped paying him after two years? I'd be livid and so would the FDJ advocates on these boards.


A contract is a contract.

Conversely, if their own scouts had thought he had no quality, would they have offered him a five year contract. Why don’t they just offer a 2 year deal then if they thought he might be shit.

Of course they’re entitled to keep him but they’re doing nothing but damaging their own brand in the eyes of future starlets that see Ajax as a stepping stone to the bigger leagues. I’m sure agents will be calling Ajax to insert release clauses into their client’s contracts if it’s clear the club won’t honor its promises. It was Ajax who set the price, a price that United have matched multiple times only to be told a new price each time. And it’s not even like United are lowballing Ajax either; it’s a record price for the league and far exceeds his market value.

 

[Womp]

Wouldn't be surprised to see us push for Gakpo instead now. I don't see us going above what we offered, would be very surprising, already a ridiculous offer. No chance Ajax gets as much for him next summer, but he'll still fetch a good fee.

 

[moses]

Your loyalties are mudded

A discussion should be objective there Kim Jong

 

[Terranova]

Your loyalties are mudded

Of course they are. People here disrespect Ajax every 3 posts, just because they won't let them have a new shiny toy. Not that hard to dislike those people.